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Common Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

Common evening primrose is a tall biennial whose lemon-yellow flowers open at evening for moths; its seeds are a favorite winter food of goldfinches. A pioneer of open, disturbed ground.

Family
Onagraceae
Type
wildflower
Lifespan
biennial
Height
3–5 ft
Spacing
1–2 ft apart
Light
sun
Soil moisture
dry, moist
Soil pH
neutral, acidic
Bloom
June, July, August, September
Bloom colors
yellow
Wildlife value
pollinators, butterflies
Landscape uses
border
Native states
AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV